The past month has been a series of highs and lows for Hillsborough’s girl’s tennis team. The final home game of the girl’s tennis season ended with a challenge that, unfortunately, the team was unable to meet. Bridgewater-Raritan High School– ranked No. 5 in the Skyland Conference– defeated HHS with a final score of 5-0: the fifth consecutive match between the two schools that BRHS has won, and HHS’s third straight loss this season. Two of the team’s three seniors, Swara Ramaswamy and Shravya Kamaraju, who competed together in doubles, lost their third set by a score of 10-7 to close out their final home match. Senior Jackie Eschbach, meanwhile, was swept in her singles match by Bridgewater’s Abbey Russano. 

On Oct. 7, the team lost the first round of counties to West Windsor. Eschbach, who plays No. 2 singles, was the only one to emerge victorious from her match, winning both sets by a score of 6-1. As a result, their last match took place on Oct. 18 against Hunterdon Central. They currently stand at 6-9. 

Some may think that this loss would make for a disappointing ending to this chapter of the team’s season. However, the team continues to keep their hopes and determination high. These optimistic spirits were highlighted during the senior night festivities after the match. The underclassmen spared no expense when it came to honoring the girls for one of the last times.

“We planned a scavenger hunt and each clue led to someplace within HHS that had a special meaning to each of our seniors,” sophomore Julie Pang said. “We had also gotten the seniors graduation gowns and personalized their caps.”

Coach Larry Johnson attested to the fact that the Skyland Conference, which Hillsborough plays in, is one of the most competitive conferences in the state. Currently ranked No. 13, they have competed against such teams such as the nearly undefeated Pingry, and Hunterdon Central, who were seeded No. 2 overall in the county tournament. 

One match of particular note was that against Bernards on Sept. 17. While early in the season, the girls were able to pull off quite a feat– upsetting the team that is now ranked No. 3  in the conference by a score of 4-1. Kamaraju and Ramaswamy swept their opponents in the No. 1 doubles match by a score of 6-2 in both sets. Meanwhile, up and coming freshmen Emily Cao and Maithili Revankar, who make up the No. 2 doubles duo, also won their match in straight sets. 

How the team will officially round out their season remains to be seen; however, it is fair to say that the team has plenty to be proud of as they say one last goodbye to their senior athletes and welcome in a new generation of talent.